2020 Community Self-Care Check-in Challenge!

[BrendaBT]

As the New Year unfolds and we adjust back into our daily hectic routines it is important to remember to pause, take a break, and take care of ourselves as well. This year my biggest goal is to practice more self-care rituals. After all, beauty starts from within!

As a way to commit, hold each other accountable, and ultimately help each other take care of ourselves, we thought it would be fun to do a weekly self-care check-in, by choosing one ritual and reporting back weekly with our progress.

Now, I know most of us are busy people, but dedicating time for ourselves can be as simple and effective as:

1. A morning meditation, and/or nightly adaptogenic drink (may we suggest FOUR SIGMATIC - Golden Latte Mushroom Mix with Shiitake & Turmeric or FOUR SIGMATIC - Mushroom Hot Cacao Mix with Reishi )
2. Better sleep! Committing to getting a full night's sleep 1 night/week, and sticking to an earlier bedtime.
3. Waking up! Get up after that first alarm so you’re less rushed in the morning and have more time to mentally prepare for the day!
4. Be active - get to yoga 1/week or go for an early morning run before work.
5. Skincare - masking on a weekly basis, getting a facial, or remembering to remove your makeup every night!
6. “Me time!” Embrace the FOGO (fear of going out), read that book you've been wanting to pick up
7. Make healthier choices - adding more fruits and veggies to your meals.
8. YOU PICK! You know yourself better than we do, so if we missed something please share how *you* want to take care of yourself. Just don’t forget to check in with us! 😊

This thread will be a place to talk about your weekly self-care check-ins, share how you’re feeling about your progress, recommend/talk about products you’re using, and share your self-care tips and tricks.

Reply below to tell us which self-care ritual you’re committing to!

*EDIT 4/2:

Hello everyone, we hope you and your loved ones are staying safe! Given the times, we may just need this thread more than ever so we wanted to add in extra self-care goals now that many of us are spending more time at home or are going into the world helping others. Here are some additional ideas for taking care of yourself. We challenge you to try a few of these and share your wins on this thread!

1. Stick to your routine: Maybe it's putting on your favorite outfit instead of PJs or doing your makeup/hair in the morning! Snap an OOTD and share it here.
2. Staying active: This could be as easy as one 10-minute workout video each week or dusting off your yoga mat. Let’s see that at-home gym or virtual workout class!
3. Setting up your space: Are you reading, eating, sleeping, working out, and BIC-ing in the same spot? Try to establish devoted spaces for all of your activities.  
4. Stay social: Set up virtual face-time with your loved ones and maybe spend some extra time here in the BIC!
5. Spring Cleaning: Try reorganizing your home, bedroom, or simply going through your stuff to declutter your space. If you reorganize your beauty space we would love to see a before and after photo here!
6. Take on a new hobby or learn a new skill: Master that smokey eye you’ve always wanted to. Maybe even learn a new language or instrument!
7. Do your own nails - no nail salon? No problem. Let’s see that at-home mani once you’re done – no worries if it isn’t perfect.

What are you doing for self-care? We are open to all advice and want to congratulate you on your little wins!

[ZakiyaBT]

These are great goals! @ellem24 I have been having some stomach issues as well and I am try to monitor what I eat. I thought about going the pescatarian route but I'm not ready to make that commitment just yet. I am definitely cutting back on dairy, recently I discovered that I can only eat egg whites. The older I get the more foods are eliminated from my diet lol.

[ellem24]

Thank you @ZakiyaBT  ! I feel the exact same way lol!! There are some foods I'm just not ready to give up yet even though I know I should. Taking it step by step and slowly cutting back on certain foods is how I'll achieve my goal I think. Good luck on figuring out what works for you! It's a great idea to monitor what you eat. I've done it in the past and I discovered there are certain foods I can eat in a small amount, but not in a big amount and so on.

[haleyvvvv]

Nice goals, @ellem24! I've finally had time to read for pleasure as opposed to for school the past month and it's been so relaxing. My local library has an app and that's opened so many books to me. Good luck!

[ellem24]

Thank you @haleyvvvv ! This is exactly what I've been struggling with. I've been sick of reading since graduating. I feel like I need to prepare for a class lol. This is a great idea, I should look up apps. There are so many now! 🙂 

[PrettyPaint]

@ellem24 Those are some fantastic goals. Exercise helps my anxiety so much. Also, I'm also considering making some dietary changes to help with my stomach issues. It's such a lengthy process trying to figure out sensitivities (for me, at least). I have considered going in a more vegetarian direction, though it's sometimes difficult because the cruciferous veggies sometimes irritate my stomach as well. 

[ellem24]

Thank you so much @PrettyPaint ! I totally understand, I'm also very sensitive to cruciferous veggies. I've read about the low-FODMAP diet. It didn't completely apply to me, but it still helped me target a lot of foods that I had issues with. It's so complex to figure out though!!

[eshoe]

Great job on already putting things in please to help you succeed in your goals this year, @ellem24! I have yet to complete a work out so you are far ahead of me:)

[ellem24]

Thank you very much @eshoe  😊 I feel like the hardest part for me was to incorporate a workout in my routine that didn't felt like a task. I used to put so much pressure on myself and felt so bad if I skipped a day. Now I think I figured out a time and some exercices I enjoy. Good luck for your goals as well!!! I'm so impressed by people who can cut out sugar. I don't think I could, I have such a sweet tooth 😅

[Titian06]

1.  My biggest "me" goal is to start exercising again.  I need to loose weight, but at this point, I'd be happy if I could just get my butt out of the chair a couple times a week!  My hamster wheel of anxiety is on autopilot.  I really need stress relief first. 

2.  My second goal is to be more consistent with my bed time.  I've had insomnia my entire life, so I'll never get 7 to 9 hrs of sleep.  When my bed time is consistent, I usually only wake up once or twice a night rather than 3 or 4 times.

3.  Last fall, I started eating lower carb (not low carb), and have more energy.  Recently, I have been tottering on the edge, especially on weekends.  I need to be a little more conscientious about what I eat.

[haleyvvvv]

Really amazing goals, good luck @Titian06! I hope you experience stress reduction this year!

[PrettyPaint]

@Titian06  Great goals, and I relate to each of these. Sometimes I will do an easy pilates video or even some stretching if I'm feeling low on energy, and this seems to help with the anxiety somewhat. Sleep is always a struggle for me too. Interestingly, I don't really have much trouble getting to sleep. My problem lately tends to be staying asleep.

[Titian06]

Thanks, @PrettyPaint !  Yes, falling asleep has never been a problem.  It's staying asleep that's the issue.

[eshoe]

I love that our goals are centered around taking better sleep, exercise and nutrition @Titian06. ”hamster wheel of anxiety is on autopilot” - hope you are able to jump off soon, it’s just no good!

[Titian06]

Thanks, @eshoe ...me, too!

[quspork]

I'm committing to working out more this year. The husband and I have decided to turn our guest room into a home gym to make that a bit easier. We've been members at a local gym for a while, but I really need the convenience of having the space to do things here. I'm super excited about having actual floor space to do yoga! 

[haleyvvvv]

That sounds great, @quspork! I hope you enjoy your home gym!

[PrettyPaint]

That's great @quspork. I'll be curious to see what equipment you decide to purchase for your home gym.

[eshoe]

Lucky you @quspork getting some space for yoga. My dog always wants to be in the mix and it’s funny and annoying at the same time. When she was you get, my daughter would run circles around my mat and I. Relaxing😚

[sunkissedblush]

This thread is such a great reminder! I usually have some unrealistic resolutions that I set for myself every New year, and I barely manage to keep up with them.

This year, I want to be kinder to myself. I've been going through continuous stress starting from June last year, related to family and my personal health. Finally, all resolved, I just received a call yesterday from my doctor, that finally confirmed that my baby is healthy and safe. Yes, I can finally announce that I'm pregnant with my first child, and these have been the most stressful months of my life.

I have a few months left to prepare for my baby's arrival both physically and mentally because I know it would be tough to do even necessities when she arrives. I just want to get back to sleeping schedule waking up early and going to sleep before 9:30. 

I also want to restart my morning meditation practices, I don't remember what was the last time I could sit with myself and my thoughts and just breath without crying or feeling anxious. I know my life would change 360 degrees, but this is something I believe I need to get into the habit of doing.

I'm still trying to do my skincare routine, thank God there is Clean at Sephora initiative, it really helps with making healthier choices when you need them the most.

I currently can't use some of my favorite products due to ingredients, but found some new clean favorites! Farmacy Beauty Green Clean and Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask is the best ones when you are too tired to do 10- step night routine.

Also, I started to take more care of my body - I always skip body lotions or oils, I'm usually so tired doing my facial skincare routine so I give up on the rest of my skin. I started to use Mama Mio The Tummy Rub Butter, I hope this will help prevent stretch marks from the growing belly. Not sure if I will be able to keep lathering myself with creams after birth since I know showing would be a luxury but I have a few months to indulge in this type of self-care.

I can plan only for several months ahead, so trying to be as realistic as possible.

[sunkissedblush]

Ladies, thank you so so much for your kind words and support💕

@quspork, @faeriegirl, @eshoe, @PrettyPaint, @AlexBT, @haleyvvvv, @tsavorite, @BrendaBT, @SportyGirly125

[tsavorite]

Congratulations, @sunkissedblush !  That's wonderful news!